300 migrants rescued off Turkish coast

The migrants were rescued after an emergency call was received from the boat carrying the migrants 103 miles (165.76 kilometers) south of Kaş.

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Turkish Radio reported to the Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center, that 103 miles south of Kaş, in the Turkish search and rescue area, that a 20-meter (99-foot) boat carrying 300 migrants had issued a "mayday" call. A cargo ship, the PAOLO TOPIC, was diverted to the area to assist those on the boat,” the directorate said in a statement on Twitter.

Historically, Turkey has been a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and was a crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Recent regional events have contributed to Turkey becoming a significant destination and transit country for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world with 4 million refugees and asylum-seekers in the country, including over 3.7 million Syrians under temporary protection and over 330,000 international protection status holders and asylum-seekers of other nationalities.

According to the official reports, the Turkish coast guard intercepted 21,473 irregular migrants in 2021, up from 19368 in 2020. (ILKHA)